T&C Travel Guide: The Best of Charleston, South Carolina
T&C Travel Guide: The Best of Charleston, South Carolina
From where to stay, dine, and soak up all that Southern sunshine. This is your ultimate guide to Charleston.
1) Where to Stay
There are so many hotel choices in Charleston, you may want to sleep around.
The Wentworth Mansion (pictured)
The Wentworth -Mansion as close as you can come to living the way wealthy Charlestonians used to. This meticulously preserved home built in 1886 for a family of 15 (and 24 servants) has marble fireplaces, inlaid floors, intricate crown moldings, and tiffany stained glass—all -original. (the bathrooms, -happily, are large and modern.)
There’s nothing like it in Charleston: nine stories (local preservationists fought its construction) right on Marion square, Italianate, opulent. With its rotunda, rooftop pool, large spa, and events facilities, it’s the new all-services-and-comforts place in town.
The SpectatorNear the City Market, it’s sleek and jazz age–inspired, with a book-lined lounge and a terrific little bar serving craft cocktails. No restaurant, but your butler (each room has one) delivers breakfast in a basket.
2) Where to Eat
It’s impossible to list all the great food in this town. These stood out.
Citrus Club (pictured)
This rooftop bar at the Midcentury Modern Dewberry Hotel has seafood snacks, tropical cocktails, and splendid views of the city. A great way to wind down the day.
Fig
Farm-to-table perfection at this culinary star of the Southeast. If the restaurant were an artist, says chef Mike Lata, “I’d describe it as a singer/songwriter, very personal and expressive.” The tomato tarte tatin alone is worth a trip to Charleston.
Circa 1886
Chef Marc -Collins’s inventively diverse dinner-time tasting menu, served in the carriage house at the Wentworth Mansion, showcases Charleston’s rich African, European, and even Native American culinary influences (you can mix and match).
S.N.O.B.
Stands for “slightly north of broad.” It’s a Low-country take on a ladies-who-lunch spot, with updated Southern comfort food and a warm, buzzy atmosphere.
La Patisserie at Hotel Bennett
The new place for grab-and-go pastries and light baguette sandwiches. (You can enter directly from King Street.)
3) Where to Eat
Cannon Green (above)
Cannon Green is an enchanting restaurant that brings great flavor and ambiance to the dining experience. The menu changes season to season and uses local ingredients for fresh dishes with great taste and the environment in mind. Chef Amalia Scatena is also known to often include flowers in her culinary creations (for flavor over garnish appeal), and who doesn't love that?
103 Spring St, 843-817-7311
Leon's is where you'll find the classic fare the South is known and loved for. The fried chicken is a go-to for diners of the auto shop-turned restaurant that features perfectly mis-matched decor from church benches to metal lawn chairs and paintings of R&B singers. And don't forget the oysters, served three ways: raw, char-grilled, and Rockefeller-style (with spinach, pernod, and fresh herbs).
698 King St, 843-531-6500
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit *Heaven on Earth* is the breakfast spot you need to head to while in Charleston. A small shop with big flavor, HLB cooks up countless biscuits and breakfast sandwiches daily to the delight of its dedicated customers (who tend to form a line out the door no matter the day). Callie's is even open late-night for those craving a cinnamon biscuit come 2am. Dreams do come true.
476 King St, 843-737-5159
4) Where to Shop
This store covers all your jewelry needs—all of them. This is where you'll find the chunky necklaces and statement earrings you've been eyeing on ladies in passing on King Street. It's also where you'll fall in love with the store's own vintage-inspired line and select pieces that can be found in places like Henri Bendel and shows like Mad Men. Candy shop Vintage has every style imaginable and is the perfect pastel store in all of Charleston (as seen above).
9 Cannon Street
If you want to be the most stylish lady in the Holy City, this is where you're finding your wardrobe. Owner Stacy Smallwood has the store's perfectly curated selections down to a science, and a great one. Expect to find brands like Alexander Wang, Tibi, Thakoon, and Rebecca Taylor. Also expect to want everything.
314 King St, 843-724-6373
This shop is answering our handwritten prayers. Mac & Murphy is producing the stationery, invites, and greeting cards (and then some) of your dreams. Dainty and dreamy (from cards with sweet Southern sass to those that are just plain sweet), this shop has countless thoughtful-yet-quippy options for every occasion, including one-of-a-kind handmade wedding suites.
74.5 Cannon Street, 843-576-4394
5) Where to Drink
The Ordinary (above)
Anything but ordinary. This seafood hall and oyster bar used to be a bank and has since become the place where folks gather for good food, good drinks, and the best oyster shooters around.
544 King St, 843-414-7060
For a quieter evening featuring wine and cheese, head to Bin 152. Here you'll come across dozens of vino and cheese pairings as well as antiques and artwork that are constantly changing and always up for purchase.
152 King St, 843-577-7359
For all your daytime libations, Saint Alban provides the best cup of coffee in the city in the quaintest of mom-and-pop shops. Come and go or park in a seat outside and take in the passersby.
710 King St, 843-531-6868
If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to make wine, sign up for this wine blending class at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. In the 90-minute experience, a sommelier leads participants through the process of combining wines into a personal blend. Everyone goes home with their own bottle featuring a label that can be customized with artwork and wording.
55 Wentworth Street, 843-722-5711
6)
Get a taste of everything local, from the city's signature sweetgrass baskets to other artisan products like candles repurposed from wine bottles, unique artwork, and more. If you want a real feel for all things Charleston-made, this is your stop.
188 Meeting Street, 843-937-0920
Whether on bike, by carriage, or on foot, the homes and waterfront of this landmark make for endless photo opportunities and the perfect place to watch the sunset.
East Battery Street at Murray Blvd
Held every Saturday (weather permitting) from April to November in Marion Square, the city's farmers market brings out the whole community for more local goods, games, and live entertainment for the whole family and visitors of all ages. This weekly gesture revives the idea of community and is a must to experience.
329 Meeting Street, 843-724-7305
The biggest grouping of Georgian row homes in the U.S. and the most colorful residences you'll ever see. Visit and instantly fall in love.
Elliott Street
7) Where to Get a Piece of the City's History
Aiken-Rhett House (above)
Originally home to the Rhett family, the Aiken Rhett House has since become a museum and great attraction for visitors. One of the most impressive Charleston residences, the home's vast grounds and historic architecture date back to the early 19th Century.
48 Elizabeth Street, 843-723-1623
The two-hour tours can vary in their destinations but take visitors through the town's various major locales and landmarks including historic sites and architectural favorites from Charleston Harbor to White Point Garden. Michael Trouche is known for giving the best walking tours in the city.
108 Meeting Street, 843-478-4718
Just outside the city, Magnolia Plantation offers one of the country's most beautiful gardens and scenic atmospheres. Walk the gardens, take a boat tour, or ride the nature train and see the zoo!
3550 Ashley River Road, 800-367-3517
From where to stay, dine, and soak up all that Southern sunshine, here's your ultimate guide to Charleston.